Winter appliance breakdowns and how to avoid them

As temperatures drop and energy bills rise, your home appliances are working harder than ever. From boilers keeping your home warm to ovens running overtime for winter meals, the extra demand can take its toll - leading to inconvenient, and often costly, breakdowns.

At BIG Warranties, we know how important it is to keep your home running smoothly throughout the colder months. Here's a look at the most common winter appliance breakdowns - and some simple maintenance tips to help you avoid them.

Boiler breakdowns

When the weather turns cold, your boiler becomes the heart of your home. Unfortunately, it's also one of the appliances most likely to fail in winter. Common causes include frozen condensate pipes, low pressure, and ignition issues. A boiler breakdown during freezing weather isn't just inconvenient - it can pose a real safety concern.

How to avoid it:

• Regularly check and insulate external condensate pipes.
• Schedule annual servicing to ensure everything is as it should be and in top condition.
• Ensure the boiler pressure is within the recommended range of 1.0 to 2.0 bars.

Washing machine freezes

If your washing machine is kept in a cold space like a garage or utility room, low temperatures can cause water in the pipes or drum to freeze, leading to leaks or malfunctions.

How to avoid it:

• Move your washing machine to a warmer part of the house if possible.
• Run occasional hot wash cycles to prevent freezing water from damaging the internal components.
• Insulate exposed water pipes leading to the machine.

Dishwasher malfunctions

With families spending more time indoors and cooking at home, dishwashers tend to get heavy use in winter - especially over the festive period. Blocked filters, limescale build-up, or worn seals can quickly cause performance issues.

How to avoid it:

• Clean your dishwasher's filter and spray arms regularly.
• Use dishwasher cleaning products to remove limescale and residue.
• Check for leaks, especially around seals, to prevent water damage.

Fridge and freezer issues

Your fridge works harder during winter due to the increased frequency of family gatherings and festive food storage. Cold air can cause frost to build up in your freezer, making it work even harder and leading to potential breakdowns.

How to avoid it:

• If you have a fridge freezer, you should defrost the freezer to reduce the load on your fridge.
• Check the seals on the fridge doors to ensure they are airtight.
• Clean the condenser coils at the back of your fridge to prevent overheating.

Oven failures

With festive cooking demands, ovens see heavy use during the winter, increasing the risk of breakdowns. Common issues include heating element failure, temperature inaccuracies, or problems with the door seals.

How to avoid it:

• Wipe down and clean your oven regularly to prevent grease build-up from affecting its performance.
• Check the door seal to make sure heat isn’t escaping.
• Consider a professional oven service if you notice uneven heating or slower cooking times.

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Protect your appliances this winter with BIG Warranties

No one wants to deal with a broken appliance in the middle of winter - especially when repair costs can quickly add up. The best way to stay prepared is to protect your home with appliance insurance.

With BIG Warranties, you'll enjoy:

• Fast repairs or replacements when things go wrong
• Cover for a wide range of household appliances
• Peace of mind knowing your home is protected all year round

Don't get caught out by unexpected breakdowns this winter - protect your appliances with BIG Warranties today!